UPCOMING ATV PRODUCT REVIEW: GBC Dirt Commander Tires

2288 Views 26 Replies 9 Participants Last post by BATTLEGUN, Nov 12, 2008

1Bad1000Xxc

Discussion Starter · Jun 7, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

2

We received our GBC Dirt Commander Tires and I gotta tell ya, they are beatiful. I took them on the trail tonight at 11PM cuz I couldn't stand it. Initially, they seem to do pretty darned good. It's a nice looking tread design, they are within manufacturer's specs and ride very well and smooth on asphalt heading to the trail.

I will start my review Sunday and it will continue for awhile. As I hit more terrain, I will post back here what I find until I write my final review.

Just to give you a teaser, here are some pics (click 'em to enlarge 'em):

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1 - 20 of 27 Posts

GRIZZLYWIZARD

· #2 · Jun 7, 2008

Nice looking tires!

1Bad1000Xxc

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 7, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

Here's a pic of these installed on my quad.

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GRIZZLYWIZARD

· #4 · Jun 7, 2008

Do you ever wash that thing? One would have though he would have a clean and sparkly quad before snapping that picture. :boxing1:

1Bad1000Xxc

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 8, 2008

Man, if I post pics of it clean, you give me junk. If I post slightly dusty pics, then it's too dirty. I'm tired of all this harrassment. I quit and I'm calling my lawyer for a harrassment suit. {{ooo}}

ccasion14:

Koko

· #6 · Jun 8, 2008

Looking good!

Gunny

· #7 · Jun 8, 2008

I know you'll probably post this in the review ... but are both these GBC tires 14's ??

Both tires are sweet look'in .... can't wait to read your review.

Oh yeah, one other question .... which rims do you like better, the 108's or the 112's ?? Cause both of those look sweet !!!! Do you have to use special lugnuts with the rims ??

The GBC Commanders look to give the ITP Terra Cross a run for their money .... hope they come in 12's ! .... and BTW .... I like how your bike looks in the pic ..... like one ridden .... & not a garage queen !!!! .... :sign10:

Later ...
:headbang:

1Bad1000Xxc

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 8, 2008

Yep, they sent both sets as 14" and both look great. As far as handling on asphalt or tight turns on trails, both sets handle like they're on rails I'm attributing that to 1 things: One is that they're 14" and the shorter sidewall results in better response, but I also feel like the tread design on both play into the increased steering response. I've just posted installed pics of the Spartacus tires in the Spartacus thread.

Buster

GRIZZLYWIZARD

· #9 · Jun 8, 2008

Gunny said:
I like how your bike looks in the pic ..... like one ridden .... & not a garage queen !!!! .... :sign10:

Later ...
:headbang:

:laughing4: :sign10:

Gunny

· #10 · Jun 9, 2008

I went to the GBC website & 12's only come in 26's where the 14's you can get in 27's.

I saw some 26X12's ITP Terra Cross XD's at my dealers & they were tall. So if the Commanders & Spartacus tires are that way, I guess it wouldn't be to bad. But on the GBC website they listed them at 25.9 inches tall.

Still pretty interested in your review. They are good look'in tires.

Later ...
:headbang:

Koko

· #11 · Jun 9, 2008

Boy, I'm not sure which set I like better? Those look great too!

1Bad1000Xxc

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 9, 2008

Gotta be honest. We're having a hard time deicindg which we like best ourselves. Both tread designs are performing very well so far, but designed for 2 different types of riding. With combination trail rides, it really could be a toos-up as to which would be a better tire. With more time, we may be able to make a better decision on which is best for our ride types but since our rides are generally a wide mixture of terrain from water, to rocks and then mud, only time will tell which is better suited as an all-around tire.

I will say that both, so far, ride very smooth on asphalt which I was skeptical of with them being 8-ply tires. I assumed they would tend to ride rough in an 8-ply 14-inch, but suprisingly, they ride quite smooth and comfortably.

Buster

Mulchman

· #13 · Jun 9, 2008

Could you please post some pics of the tires on the quad from the front and back. I would like to see how wide they look mounted up.

Thanks,

Wayne

1Bad1000Xxc

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 9, 2008

Yep, I was actually gonna do that tonight.

I simply didn't think about it when I was taking pics initially but think about it after it was too late yesterday. I'll get some this evening and post 'em cuz it will help also give everyone an idea of the profile of the tire and how flat the tread design is.

1Bad1000Xxc

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 11, 2008

4

Well, I finally did this. Last night just wasn't the night to get it done:

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Mulchman

· #16 · Jun 11, 2008

Thanks for the extra pics.

Wayne

Gunny

· #17 · Jun 12, 2008

Look'in Good Billy Ray !!!!! ........... Wait ........... You're BusterW aren't you !? ;;s;; :hello:

Look'in Good BW !!!!! ..... ;;t;; :icon_thumleft:

Later ....
:headbang:

1Bad1000Xxc

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jun 16, 2008

I went on a short ride tonight, only a couple of miles is all time would allow. This trail is hard packed reed clay with some light sand/ dirt on top with some washed out ruts. Typically, my XTRs would float all over the trail on this type of terrain but as I suspected, the Dirt Commanders did not. They seemed to ride very smooth on this trail compared to the XTRs and seemed to better float over the ruts. I'm assuming the tread designed is helping to get over this type of terrain where the XTRs wanted to grab every rut in their path.

Each time I ride these tires, I become more pleased with them. I've learned I am having to adjust my riding style from what I'm used to because certain things I'm used to the XTRs hooking up on, the DC don't so I've had to adjust and add a little more speed. For example, an embankment that is a loose top soil type mixture, the XTRs would grab at slow speed and crawl. The DCs on the other hand have more of a tendency to spine attacking this type of embankment. So, I find myself needing to hit it slightly hotter, but not dangerously hot, to not have the spin factory halfway up.

I really think other than the lack of float on a trail ride, these tires will really show their true colors on some rock crawling type terrain, but only time will tell from that standpoint.

Buster

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Gunny

· #19 · Jun 17, 2008

Thanks for the update. The DC's seem like they would be a smooth running tire, not sure they should be compared to a mud & snow tire (the XTR's) :dontknow: but it's interesting to read how you're needing to "Adjust" from what your use too. :laughing7: :laughing7:

Keep up the great review reports (lucky dog) :cheer: it keeps the rest of us wishing we had a set on our machine !!! :sad2: :sad2: :sad2:

Later ...
:headbang:

atvman650

· #20 · Jun 18, 2008

how deep are thelugs ,thanx for the review

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

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